Iran’s place in the upcoming FIFA World Cup is uncertain following Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali’s statement, according to YankeeScores report.
Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamah declared the national team “cannot participate.” His comments came during a tense period of conflict with the United States and Israel.
Minister cites assassination and war
On state television, Donyamali said: “Considering that this corrupt regime [the US] has assassinated our leader [Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei], under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.” He added that ongoing violence has left “our children not safe” and insisted conditions for competing “do not exist.”
Escalating regional conflict
The US and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran claims more than 1,200 people have been killed and over 12,000 wounded. In response, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israeli targets and US military bases across the Middle East.
Federation voices concern
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, had already raised doubts. On March 1, he said: “After this attack [on Iran], we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?”
FIFA and US reaction
FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed that US President Donald Trump “reiterated that the Iranian team is welcome to compete in the tournament.” Infantino explained that discussions with Trump included assurances of support for Iran’s participation despite the war.
During a meeting to discuss preparations for the competition, “we also spoke about the current situation in Iran,” Infantino, the head of world football’s governing body, wrote on Instagram.
Looking ahead
Iran was the first nation to qualify for the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the US, Mexico, and Canada. Yet with all of Iran’s group-stage matches set for American cities, the minister’s remarks mark the strongest signal so far that Tehran may boycott the competition.
